Oil painting artist Joshua Lance has traveled the world and shares his wondrous journey through his paintings. You can see all of the beauty the world has to offer through Joshua’s eyes.

Be sure to visit Joshua’s artist website and follow him on social media. The links are located on the bottom of the interview.

 

Featured Artist Joshua Lance

 

 

 

Dave – Hello Joshua, thank you for joining me today. You have an amazing story. You have been fortunate to visit many places people dream of visiting including New Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, China, Portugal, Paris, and Ireland. Tell us more about these travels and how they have helped you to grow as an artist.

 

Joshua – My first ‘foreign’ country that started it all was New Mexico.

Some people think it’s not part of the US and in some ways, it doesn’t feel like part of the country.  It’s a beautiful ancient desert landscape that has a rich culture and history that attracted me to the place.

My palette got brighter and more colorful as a result.  I started taking more chances and loved its unique colors.

Now I visited or lived in Asia for years as well.

My palette changed as well and I studied Buddhism and art with a Taiwan master painter.  My portraits really improved there as a result.

I did mostly landscape painting everywhere else, adapting and using the colors and elements in my work were my main focus, to honor the place.

 

Dave – All of the different landscapes, colors and how light reacts to the different textures you have been able to see in person show in your paintings. You use a limited palette of primary colors. How did your palette evolve over time and what advice would you share with artists just starting?

 

Joshua – My first art teacher in college painted these amazing realistic paintings with a million details, yet he only used a few colors plus white.  I was hooked on that technique from the start.

Over time, I started to use warm and cool primary colors, so it’s still a limited, primary palette but double the color.

I recently started to use other colors to create other effects, such as antique gold and van dyke brown.

That’s from my previous trip to Italy.

I prefer the simplicity and harmony of a select group of colors and mix yourself.  There’s so much to discover and it’s fun creating your own colors too.

 

Dave – It has always amazed me how artists can create such colorful paintings with a limited pallet and I have to say, you have mastered that technique. How long have you been creating art?

 

Joshua – Since I was 19, I was already quite serious about being a professional artist at that point.  So more than 25 years I’ve created art.

 

Dave – How did you get started with using oil paints as your medium?

 

Joshua – When I first started my artistic journey, I was doing acrylics and watercolors.  I did oils but not that much at that point.

Once I transferred to Montclair State University, I was solely doing oils.  So that’s my most experienced medium.

I just love the effects and feel of oils.  A linkage of the past and new possibilities for the future.

 

Dave – Where do you get your inspiration from?

 

Joshua – From life, it’s broad I know.  But life itself inspires me.  Going to live in other places that have incredible beauty is inspiring.

Doing portraits, the human or animal spirit inspires me.   Even the simple act of creating something from nothing is inspiring.

 

Dave – I agree with you. Inspiration is all around us, we just have to slow down for a few moments to see it. What makes your artwork unique and separates you from other artists?

 

Joshua – I could only speak from personal experience, but it’s a constant striving to honor your own unique voice.

I believe everyone has that, it’s just a matter of finding what makes you, well you.  And honor it.

I learned certain techniques over the years, from Monet, art teachers, and other artists.

But I don’t want to clone someone else’s paintings, I want to express my individuality in a way no one can.

I also tend to paint quirky and not always technically perfect, but the essence and emotion of a subject are important for me to achieve my vision.

My travels have allowed me to paint unique work that I couldn’t have done without experience visiting and living in a different culture.

I love painting landscapes and portraits unique to that part of the world and report back what I discovered over there.

 

Dave – Joshua, that is a powerful statement every artist can learn from. Instead of judging our art with others, we as artists should focus on being able to communicate our unique story visually. What message would you like your viewers to receive when they look at your artwork?

 

Joshua – Be open-minded and don’t be afraid to get out of your own comfort zone to explore.

Everything has a unique beauty and deserves to be admired and enjoyed.  Life is way too fast and we must cherish these moments for what they are.

 

Dave – What supplies do you use for your artwork?

 

Joshua – I like Utretch oil paints, stainless steel palette knives, a French easel made in France.  Not easy to find nowadays.  Filbert and flat brushes.  Wood/mdf boards to paint on.  Linseed oil to thin my colors.  Gloss varnish to protect my work when finished.

 

Dave – What supplies would you recommend artists just starting to work with?

 

Joshua – Get a set of oils and a pack of brushes at a local hobby or art store, plus canvas boards.  Keep it simple and build from that.

 

Dave – Have you ever used other mediums if so, what other mediums do you like to work with?

 

Joshua – I’ve used acrylic and watercolors in the past.  They both have cool things about them and have unique effects.  I still love oils the best but would like to try to use some kind of stone/metal in my work, perhaps gold leaf one day.

 

Dave – When did you start selling your artwork and how did you get started?

 

Joshua – I started selling art at art shows before the internet age.

Even though the internet and having your own website made things a bit easier, nothing beats seeing work and meeting people in person.

I’ve gotten better over the past few years as my identity and reputation, most think of me as a traveling artist.  I’m good with that!

 

Dave – What platforms do you use to showcase and sell your artwork?

 

Joshua – My own website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

I’m starting to make more videos and enjoy that than writing blogs as I used too.  I want people to see my personality and video has some incredible possibilities.

 

Dave – How do you promote your art online and offline?

 

Joshua – After I create my work, which is number one before anything, then I share it on my Facebook and Instagram.

I’d like to do more videos and do more art demos.

Offline, I paint a lot outdoors and set up my easel like an art studio in certain locations.

I’ve built up meeting many new people and sold more work this way too.  Also, I’m getting involved with more art shows too.

 

Dave – What was the biggest lesson you learned about starting your art business?

 

Joshua – That you are the CEO of your art and life and you are solely responsible for everything.  You create your own luck and opportunities.

 

Dave – That is so true. What tips could you give to new artists who are interested in selling their artwork?

 

Joshua – Always find ways to share your work with the public.  Don’t fear criticism, you can’t avoid it.  Just keep doing what you do best and things will happen.

 

Dave – Would you mind sharing a few of your favorite creations and share the story behind them?

 

“Chinese Baby of Woyang Village”

I was volunteering in rural China in 2016 during Chinese New Year and had a great opportunity to create a mural and teach art with high school students.

I met some unique and interesting people, including an 18-month old baby girl which really captivated me.

I knew she would make a great subject to paint, she seemed to embody the spirit of the place.

She went through a lot of stuff in her short life, but she seemed so quiet and sweet.

I’ll never forget her.

 

 

“The Shy One”

One of my clients was also a world traveler and an amazing photographer.

She visited Iceland and took pics of horses and when I saw it, I had to paint it.

I usually paint from my own photos but I wanted to paint her photo and make it my own.

It turned out amazing, I never painted horses like this before and she eventually purchased it, making it like a commission.

 

 

“Ft. Collins from Vine”

After I spent five years in Asia, I relocated to Ft. Collins, CO for a short time and had my own art studio.

I painted this scene outside my studio, one of my first American painting in years.

I’ve always loved the mountains and nature.  It’s what I needed to paint after I arrived back to my own country.

 

Dave – What social media sites can people follow you on?

 

Joshua –

Facebook – joshualanceartist

Instagram – joshualanceart

YouTube – bangor71

 

Dave – Where can people purchase your art?

 

Joshua – joshualance.com is my main website. You can purchase my art, read my blog and sign up for my newsletter too!

You can email at josh@joshualance.com or use the contact form to reach me.  I also do commissions and metal prints of my originals.

 

Dave – I would like to thank you one more time for sharing your artistic journey with us and I look forward to seeing all of your new creations.

 

Joshua – Thank you, Dave, it was my honor and pleasure doing this interview.  Peace be with you and happy travels!

 

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